Anakalypsis / Unveiling the Word

Theme · ethical

Wealth and Poverty

The law builds protections for the poor into Israel's economic structure: gleaning rights, the Sabbath year, and the Jubilee. The Psalms and Proverbs observe that wealth can be a blessing or a snare, and that the LORD hears the cry of the poor. The prophets denounce the wealthy who exploit the powerless. Jesus teaches that it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom, blesses the poor, and warns against storing up treasures on earth. The early church shares possessions radically, and James rebukes those who show favoritism to the rich while despising the poor.

Passages expressing this theme

  • 1Sam 2:7 — The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: he bringeth low, and lifteth up.
  • 1Tim 6:10 — For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
  • 1Tim 6:17 — Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
  • 2Cor 8:9 — For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
  • 2Cor 9:7 — Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
  • Acts 20:35 — I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
  • Amos 2:6 — Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;
  • Deut 8:18 — But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.
  • Deut 15:7 — If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor bro
  • Deut 15:11 — For the poor shall never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt open thine hand wide unto thy brother, to thy poor, and to thy needy, in thy land.
  • Eccl 5:10 — He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
  • Heb 13:5 — Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
  • Isa 58:7 — Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own fl
  • Jas 2:5 — Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
  • Jas 5:1 — Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.
  • Matt 6:19 — Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
  • Matt 6:24 — No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
  • Matt 19:21 — Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
  • Matt 19:23 — Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
  • Matt 25:35 — For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
  • Matt 25:40 — And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
  • Prov 11:4 — Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.
  • Prov 13:7 — There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
  • Prov 19:17 — He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
  • Prov 22:2 — The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.